FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Los Angeles - Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus), State Senator Gil Cedillo, Assemblyman Rudy Bermudez and other Latino community members today endorsed Mayor Jim Hahn's re-election.

"Mayor Hahn is dedicated to the constituency he represents and has done what he said he was going to do for the people of Los Angeles," Congresswoman Napolitano said. "Mayor Hahn is a true public servant, not a politician, which is why I'm proud to endorse him for re-election."

"Mayor Hahn has made a difference in the lives of many in the Eastside community and all over Los Angeles by bringing down crime, building housing and helping kids go to college. That is why I support Mayor Hahn and proudly endorse him today," Senator Cedillo said. "Mayor Hahn has made a tremendous impact here in Boyle Heights by bringing the LA's BEST after school program to my alma mater, Euclid Elementary School."

"As law enforcement officer for over 20 years, I know that safer streets result from a combination of community policing and educational opportunity, and that's exactly what Mayor Hahn has brought to Los Angeles," Assemblyman Bermudez said. "I am proud to endorse Mayor Jim Hahn."

Mayor Jim Hahn joined Latino elected officials and community members today at Euclid Elementary School to announce their support for his re-election. Euclid Elementary School is one of 29 schools serving 3,900 schools in East Los Angeles with LA's BEST after school programs. Citywide, the nationally-recognized program gives over 20,000 students a safe and educational place to go after school and stay out of trouble.

"We are beginning to turn Los Angeles around with lower crime, more housing and more educational opportunities," Mayor Hahn said. "I want to do more, and I know the people supporting me today want to as well. Together, we are going to make every Los Angeles neighborhood safer, build more housing and bring after school programs to every L.A. elementary school."

Mayor Hahn's first term has been marked by an 18 percent drop in
violent crime and a more than 20 percent drop in homicides citywide as the result of his bringing new leadership and the return of community policing to the LAPD.

Housing production has doubled since Mayor Hahn took office with the help of the $100 million Housing Trust Fund he created. The Housing Trust Fund is now the largest of its kind in the nation.

Mayor Hahn also established the Los Angeles Workforce Literacy Project to help adults get the skills they need for the jobs of the future, and his Cash For College program has helped 20,000 students apply for the financial aid they need to go to college.

Mayor Hahn has received awards from the National Alliance of Urban Literacy Coalitions, the Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles, and the California Association of Student Aid Administrators in recognition of his efforts to increase educational opportunity.

###